When it was 20° outside a few months ago, the
author enjoyed an indoor flight with a fun little
quadcopter. Inset: The micro quadcopter is
perfect for casual indoor flights.
There are so many sizes and types of airplanes
available. This was from an event that the
author participated in while visiting friends in
Massachusetts.
Autograph,
anyone?
Model Aviation
Editor-in-Chief Jay
Smith enjoys playing
guitar. There are so many
interesting things to learn
about RC enthusiasts! Photo
provided by Model Aviation.
locked into one type of airplane, or
even a way of flying.
Maybe a foamie? Perhaps an A- 10
or maybe a quadcopter? How about
breaking out your favorite Slope
Soaring sailplane, or getting involved
with a fun aerobatic number? What
about giving Pylon Racing a whirl?
Maybe consider some indoor electric
flights.
Indoors, outside, catching a hillside
thermal … wherever you are, varying
environments are at your disposal, and
the many types of aircraft that can be
flown in those environments make this
hobby one that never ceases to amaze
me!
Incredible Shows and Contests
Throughout the years, I’ve often
mentioned one of my favorite events,
the Old Rhinebeck Jamboree, held
in Rhinebeck, New York, every
September. Model Aviation Editor-in-Chief Jay Smith wrote about
it in the January 2017 issue of
Model Aviation, highlighting the
50th anniversary of the event.
At the gathering, you’re treated to
everything from vintage cars to World
assure you that it’s anything but boring.
Of course, there are several other RC
events across the country to enjoy and
surely, many still to be discovered.
Local flying fields—maybe even your
own—might participate in landing
contests (or other fun competitions)
that could have a unique twist.
Laughter, conversation, and honing
your flying skills is always a given.
There truly is something for everyone.
Interesting People
Sure, chatting about propellers or
the latest RC auction is to be expected.
But the conversations don’t always
stop there because there are RC pilots
around the world. With so many of
us, there’s a lot to talk about and learn
from one another.
Add to that the fact
that everyone has a
range of backgrounds outside of the
RC hobby, and it’s often a pleasure
just sitting underneath a canopy
with someone and striking up a
conversation. You never know what
you’ll discover.
That man from Florida flying his heli
might also have once been a movie
stunt man. Or, as you might recall
from the August 2016 issue of Model
Aviation, some flight enthusiasts are
musically inclined. Jay Smith, who still
has his first bass guitar, enjoys playing
heavy metal, blues, and rock with his
Fender Precision and Ibanez Roadstar
basses. “Control Line Combat”
columnist Mark Rudner enjoys playing
guitar on a Fender Telecaster.
I used to play the cello way back
when, worked briefly as a dental
assistant, and used to write advertising
copy, so that “who knew?” aspect
transcends the fact that I also have a
bunch of RC aircraft in the shed—and
the spare bedroom, and … well, you
know how that goes.
This terrific hobby is filled with many
interesting types of aircraft that are
flown in so many different ways, and
by so many fascinating people. For me,
excitement and enthusiasm are always
the first words that come to my mind
when talking about RC flying, and I
plan to always keep it that way.
90 Model Aviation APRIL 2017 www.ModelAviation.com
SKY’S THE LIMIT
